Printing-press.



A. E. DOWELL.

PRINTING PRESS. APPLICATION FILED MAE. 5, 190a.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

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A: E. DOWELL.

PRINTING PRESS.- APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 190a.

Patented J an. 19, 1909.

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UNITED s'rarns rarnr oniucn.

ARTHUR E. DOWELL, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PEtiNTlNG-PRESS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it 1 .own that I, ARTHUR E. DOW'ELL, of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printin -Presses; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is an improvement in printing presses of the type commonly known as the duplex fiat bed type printing web presses in which stationary type beds and reciprocating cylinders are employed to perfect webs of paper.

The primary object of the present invention is to enable a two-bed and two-cylinder duplex press to produce any size of paper up to a maximum, say, of sixteen pages. By very simple changes in the proportions of and slight additions to the ordinary S-page dupleX press my invention renders it capable of producin two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve or sixteen pages at the will of the operator; and such improved machine can be operated like the ordinary eight-page duplex press, even when printing larger sized papers, and only one web of paper of the proper width need be used.

Another object of the invention is to avoid the necessity of using two webs when printin more than eight-page papers, and this result is obtained by a certain arrangement of the ty e forms on the beds and increasing the size the beds and the length of stroke of the impression cylinders.

Another object of the invention is to provide mean whereby the travel of the impression cylinders can be varied, if desired, ac-

cording to the length of web being printed at each operation of the ress. Thus when printing eight pages, or less, the travel of the cylinders could be shortened to the minimum, corresponding to the length of their travel in an ordinary eight-page duplex press; and when printing more than eight pages, the length of the travel of the cylinders would be somewhat increased. This feature of changing the strolre of the cylinders is applicable to either single or double acting presses and to perfecting or non-perfecting presses.

By means of this invention the largest papers can be printed on single webs; and a twelve or sixteen-page paper can be printed Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 5, 1908.

on narrower webs than are customarily employed for eight-page apers; and it is not necessary to use two welds, operated at difierent speeds, when printing ten or more pages.

The desired objects are attained by the present invention, and one practical embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which I will hereinafter describe in detail but the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment shown in the drawings, as any one skilled in the art could readily devise or select different but equivalent mechanisms for varying the length of web fed and delivered at each operation; the capacity of the web 100 ing mechanism; and the length of stroke 0 the cylinders; without departing from the spirit of the invention, after the invention is disclosed to such a erson.

The claims fol owing the description define the invention and subordinate features thereof which it is desired to protect.

in the drawings-Figure 1 is a longitudinal diagrammatical sectional elevation of part of a printing press embodying the invention, and showing it threaded for printing a paper of more than eight pages. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing one means for varying the length of strolre of the impression cylinders. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view showing one meansv for adjusting the inking mechanisms relatively to each other. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the adjustable crank-pin connection, taken on line 44, Fig. 2. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail diagrammatic views showing various arrangements of the type forms on the beds. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing one set of changeable gearing for the web feeding devices. Fig. 9 is a detail view illustrating how the length of the stroke of the cylinders may be changed, by varying the position of the crank-pin.

Two type beds 1, 1 are employed, arranged preferably one above the other as in the duplex press, and with these beds co-act impression cylinders 2, 2 respectively, which cylinders are journaled in cross-heads 2 and are reciprocated back and forth over the beds to take impressions on the web w from forms on the beds, as in the duplex press. The web to is led in from a roll (not. shown) through the feeding-in devices 3; then it passes under a guide 4, up over a looping, or equalizing, roller'5 mounted in a movable looper frame then down under a guide P; then over a second looping roller 5 on frame 5 then down under a second guide 4*; thence up over a guide 4; then to and over a guide 4 traveling with cylinder'2; then down between cylinder 2 and bed 1, and up over a guide 4 beside and traveling with cylinder 2 then back under a coaxing roller 4 and up over a coaxing roller 4 then back over a guide 4*, traveling with cylinder 2 then down between cylinder 2 and bed 1 and up over guide 42 traveling with cylinder 2 then back to a guide 4 then down under a looping roller 5, on frame 5; then up over guide 49, and down again under another 100 ing roller 5 and then u to the delivery rol 6. Except for the dou le loops of web over the extra rollers 4 5 and 4 5, the web w is threaded through the press and practically handled and operated upon as the web in the ordinary eight-page duplex press, and in printing eight pages or less the press can be used and operated practically in the same manner as an ordinary duplex press. I will now more particularly point out the several features and im rovements in such press whereby I am enabled to print as many as sixteen pages at each operation thereof.

The type beds 1, 1, are made wider than in the ordinary duplex press,(wherein the beds are made so narrow that only one row of newspaper forms (four pages in a row), can be placed on such beds), so that five newspaper forms can be placed on the bed in a row side by side, the type columns running lengthwise of the webas indicated in Fig. 5, so that withfive forms so arranged on each bed the press could print and perfect ten newspaperpages at each operation. If but four forms were so arranged, side by side on each bed, eight pages could be perfected at each operation of the press. The arrangement and operation of the web feeding, looping, guiding and delivering mechanisms in printing ten pages or less would preferably be substantially the same as in the duplex press; the web being continually fed in and delivered from the press and the looping rollers stopping the intermediate parts of the web during the printing. And when printing ten pages or less the stroke of the cylinders may e shortened so that practically the press then operates identically as an eight page press. But in order to enable still larger papers to be printed, the beds are also made longer, so that additional forms can be placed on the bed as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7; thus for a twelve-page paper six forms can be put on each bed, as indicated in Fig. 6; and for a sixteen-page paper, eight forms can be arranged on the bed, as indicated in Fig. 7. And it will be seen that when printing the larger papers, I arrange two rows of formson each bed as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, with the columns preferably lying transversely of the web. This arrangement of forms necessitates an increased relative stroke of the cylinders over the beds, equal to the increased length of the impressions made on the Web; and this increased length of stroke is provided for by mechanism, such as hereinafter described, for increasing the travel of the cylinders when printing the larger papers. This increased length of the im ressions on the web, and length of stroke of t e cylinders also necessitates feeding an increased length of web between the beds and cylinders at each operation of the press; and the proper length of web is fed by increasing the speed of the feeding and delivering devices; but this necessitates an additional amount of web being taken care of by the looping mechanism during im ressions, and this is taken care of by the oopers as hereinafter explained. Obviously the shorter im ressions could be equally well produced if t is cylinders had a uniform length of stroke equal to the maximum, and in such cases no variation in the stroke of the cylinders would be required, as the length of web fed and delivered and the amount of web looped is not dependent upon the cylinders. But if the stroke of the cylinders is shortened the speed of operation can be somewhat increased, and hence I have provided means for varying the strokes of the cylinders according to the length of web being printed.

One convenient and simple means of varying the travel of the cylinders is indicated in Figs. 2, 4 and 9. cross-heads 2 in which cylinders 2, 2 are journaled, as in the ordinary duplex press, are connected by pitmen 2 to crank-pins 2 d attached to the large driving crank-wheels or gears 2 arranged as in the duplex press; but the crankins 2 d in this instance are adjustable radial y of the gears 2 As shown the crank-pins 2 are attached to slides 2 adjustably fitted in radial slots 2 in the gears 2 and which can be adjusted in said slots by bolts 2*, or other suitable means; so that the slides can be shifted to either end of slots 2 and rigidly secured in either extreme position. It will be seen that by this simple means the operator can readily change the travel of the cylinders so as to accord with and print either a single or double row of forms on the bed. Of course other means for adjusting the crank-pins radially of the gears, or for varying the travel of the impression cylinders, could be adopted.

Then large papers are to be produced, the requisite amount of web fed in and delivered can be readily obtained by increasin the speed of the feeding-in devices 3, and de ivering devices 6, which are constructed and operated substantially as in the duplex press. As indicated in Fig. 8 the feed roll 3 may have two gears 3, 3", on its shaft, meshing respectively with gears 5, 5 'on a countershaft 5 suitable clutch devices (not shown) In this instance the,

being provided so that when gears 8 5, are driving roll 3, gears 3 5, are running idly, (or vice versa) so that both sets of gears do not act simultaneously and when one set is arranged to actively operate, the other set will be out of action. There are so many de vices adapted for this purpose and wellknown that illustration thereof is unnecessary. The gears 3, 3 are of different diameters, as are gears 5, 5 and said gears are so proportioned that gears 3 5, will drive the feed-in roll at the proper speed re quired to feed in the desired length of web when printing small paper while gears 3 5, will drive the feed-in roll at an increased speed sufficient to feed in the proper length of web when printing large papers.

The delivery roll 6 may be geared to roll 3, as usual, andv as indicated in Fig. 1, so that the web is delivered in proper proportion to the amount of web fed in.

In order to take up the extra amount of web fed in during impressions, and shift it forward over the beds after impressions, when printing large papers, the two looping rollers 5", 5, and the co-acting guide rollers 4 l may be used in addition to the looping and guiding rollers ordinarily employed in the duplex press, the additional looping rollers 5*, 5, being operated by the ordinary looping mechanism of the duplex press. Thus, as shown in Fig. i, the frame 5, carrying the looping rollers 5 5, (as in the ordinary duplex press), also carries the additional rollers 5 5 This frame is operated by lever 5 and 5 on shaft 5 When printing eight pages, or less, the web can skip roller 5 and be passed from roller 4 direct to -d under roller 4*, (as indicated in dotted lines) and then up to guide 4, and on through the press to guide 4 and can pass from the guide 49 direct to guide 4 (as indi cated in dotted lines) skipping looper 5 and thus be properly looped in unison with the feed and delivery of the eight page web. But when large papers are to be printed and the speed of the feed and delivery rolls is increased, then the web is looped over both rollers 5 5", and 5, 5, and as twice the length of web is fed at each operation of the press, twice the length of web will be looped during impressions, and twice the length of web shifted by the loopers after impressions, while no change in the looping cam, or in the stroke of the looping frame, is necessary.

I do not wish to be restricted to the peculiar means for varying the feed and looping of the web herein described, nor in fact do I claim such broadly, and others could be used for example the devices shown in my Patent No. 694,846, dated March 4, 1902, might be employed to regulate the feed and looping of the web.

Another seeming complication produced. by the change in the length of travel of the cylinders, is in the inking mechanism. If the ink fountains be supported on the frame, as indicated in Fig. 1, then means should be provided to move the ink fountains nearer together when the cylinders are arranged to have the shorter stroke and to move the ink fountains further apart when the cylinders are caused to make the longer strokes. As indicated in Fig. 3, the ink fountains 7 e are arranged at opposite sides of the cylinders and are adjustable toward or from each other, and may be adjusted by means of sec tors 7 on shafts 7 engaging racks 7 on the underside of tae fountain boxes, the opposite sectors 7 being connected by rods 7 so that they will move simultaneously, and when actuated they will shift the opposite fountains equally, towards or from each other. At each side of each cylinder may be mounted the inking roller systems, as indicated at 7 adapted to receive ink from the respective fountains 7 as indicated in the drawings. As indicated in Fig. 3 the fountains are shown in full lines in the positions assumed when the cylinders are arranged to have their longest stroke; and are shown in dotted lines in the positions as sumed when the cylinders are arranged to have their shortest stroke.

It will be seen from the foregoing that any sized newspaper can be printed, in multiples of two-pages, up to ten-pages, with one row of forms on each bed. And that with the forms arranged in two rows on each bed, any size newspaper can be produced in multiples of four-pages, up to sixteen pages. Also that only one web of the proper width is required to print any size of paper, with either arrangement of forms; and that the web is handled as a unit throughout the press. Of course two webs could be run through the press side by side, and at the same speed; but there would be no advantage in operating the press with two webs, except as a mere matter of convenience in obtaining the desired width of web, or because two narrow webs might be cheaper, as two webs used in this manner would be merely the equivalent of one wir'le web.

Presses of less capacity than sixteen newspaper pages could be produced by narrowing the width of the beds so as to only accommodate four forms in a row instead of five, in Fig. 5. The maximum capacity of a press thus narrowed would be twelve pages and it could not print ten ages. If the crank-pin e fixed so as to always impart the maximum stroke to the cylinders the capacity of the press would not be at all affected, but its speed in printing papers of less than eight pages would be somewhat reduced, corresponding to the difference in the time required for making the shorter and longer strokes of the cylinders. W here the length of the cylinder stroke is fixed at the maximum the ink fountains could be also fixed. I

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing press, the combination of a stationary bed adapted to contain one or two rows of newspaper forms, a reciprocating cylinder co-acting therewith, means for, reciprocating the cylinder across the bed, means for guiding a length. of web between the bed and cylinder means for varying the length of travel of the cylinder means for changing the feed of the web according to whether one or two rows of forms are on the bed, and means for looping the web proportionately to the feed thereof.

2. In combination, a pair of stationary beds each adapted to contain one or two rows of newspaper forms, a reciprocating cylinder co-acting with each bed, means for reciprocating the cylinders across the beds, means for guiding a length of web successively between the beds and cylinders; means for varying the length of travel of the cylinder means for changing the feed of the web according to whether one or two rows of forms are on the bed, and means for looping the web proportionately to the feed thereof.

'3. In a printing press, the combination of a bed, a cylinder co-acting with said bed, means for changing the length of the stroke of the cylinder, inking mechanism, means for changing the inking mechanism in accordance with the stroke of the cylinder, means for guiding a web between the bed and cylinder, and means for changing the feed of the web to accord with the stroke of the cylinder.

4. In a Web printing press, the combina tion of a bed, a cylinder co-acting therewith, means for changing the length of travel of the cylinder, means for feeding a web between the bed and cylinder, means for changing the speed of the web feed and delivery, and means for loopin the web in proportion to the speed of the feed and. delivery.

5. In a printing press, the combination of a pair of stationary beds, a reciprocating cylinder co-acting with each bed, means for varying the length of the stroke of the cylinders, inking mechanism means for feeding a web between the beds and cylinders; means for changing the inking mechanism in accordance with the stroke of the cylinders and means for varying the feed of the web in accordance with the stroke of the cylinders.

6. In a printing press, the combination of a bed, a cylinder co-acting with said bed, means for varying the length of the strokeof the cylinder, and inking rollers moving with the cylinder, ink fountains at opposite sides of the cylinder, and means for varying the distance between the inking fountains in accordance with the stroke of the impression cylinder.

7. In a printing press, the combination fountains in accordance with the stroke of the impression cylinders.

8. In a printing press, the combination of a stationary bed, a reciprocating cylinder coacting with said bed, means for varying the length of stroke of the cylinder, means for feeding a web between the bed and cylinder, means for guiding a Web of paper between the bed and cylinder, and means for varying the feed of the web in accordance With the travel of the cylinder with inking rolls beside and moving with the cylinder, ink fountains at o posite extremes of the cylinder travel, anc means for varying the distance between the inking fountains in accordance with the stroke of the impression cylinder.

9. In a printing press, the combination of a stationary bed adapted to contain one or more rows of newspaper forms, a reciprocating cylinder co-acting therewith, means for reciprocating the cylinder over the bed, inking mechanism means for guiding a length of web between the bed and cylinder, means for changing the feed of the web according to whether one or more rows of forms are on the bed, and means for looping the web proportionately to the feed thereof; with means for shortening or lengthening the stroke of the cylinder according to the number of forms on the bed and means for changing the inking devices in accordance with the stroke of the cylinder.

10. In a printing press, the combination of a pair of stationary beds, a reciprocating cylinder co-acting with each bed, means for varying the length of the stroke of the cylinders; means for feeding a web between the beds and cylinders; inking devices at opposite sides of each cylinder, and means for varying the distance between the inkin devices in accordance with the stroke of the impression cylinders; means for guiding a web of paper between the beds and cylinders, and means for varying the feed of the web in accordance with the travel of the cylinders.

11. In a printing press, the combination of a pair of stationary beds adapted to contain one or more rows of newspaper forms, a reciprocating cylinder co-acting with each bed, means for reciprocating the cylinders across the beds, inking mechanisms means for guiding a length of web between the beds and cylinders, means for changing the feed of the web according to whether one or more rows of forms are on each bed, and means for looping the web proportionately to the feedv thereof with means for shortening or lengthening the stroke of the cylinders according to the number of forms on the beds; and means for adjusting the inking mechanisms according to the stroke of the cylinders.

12. In a printing press, the combination of a reciprocating cylinder, and means for varying the stroke of the cylinder; with an ink supply at the side of the cylinder and means for adjusting the supply to or from the cyl inder in accordance with the variation of the stroke of the cylinder.

13. In a printing press, the combination of a pair of printing members comprising a bed and co-acting cylinder, one of said members being movable, means for varying the stroke of the movable member, and ink fountains at opposite sides of the cylinder movable to and from each other in accordance with the variation of the stroke of the movable printing member.

14. In a printing press, the combination of a stationary bed, a reciprocating cylinder coacting therewith, and inking rollers traveling with the cylinder; with ink fountains on opposite sides of the cylinder and means for adjusting the fountains toward or from the cylinder.

15. In a printing press, the combination of a bed and co-acting cylinder, means for reciprocating the cylinder over the bed, inking rollers on each side of and moving with the cylinder, and means for varying the stroke of the cylinder over the bed; with ink fountains at each side of the cylinder, and means for moving the fountains to and from each other to accord with the stroke of the cylinder.

16. A newspaper printing press, comprising a pair of stationary beds, each adapted to contain five or less newspaper forms arranged in a row with the columns running longitudinally of the press or to contain eight or less newspaper forms arranged in two rows with the columns running transversely of the press; with means for simultaneously reciprocating the cylinders over the beds, means for guiding a length of web successively between the beds and cylinders, means for changing the feed of the web according to whether one or two rows of forms are on the beds, and a uniformly actuated means for looping the web proportionately to the feed thereof.

17. In a newspaper printing press, the combination of a stationary bed adapted to contain one or two rows of newspaper forms with a reciprocating cylinder, means for reciprocating the cylinder over the bed, means for feeding a web between the bed and cylinder, means for changing the feed of the web .according to the arrangement of the forms on the bed, and relatively fixed and movable devices for looping the web and for varying the extent of looping of the web in accordance with change in the feed thereof, the throw of the movable looping device being uniform at all times, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- ARTHUR E. DOWELL. Witnesses:

JAMES R. MANSFIELD, L. E. WITHAM. 

